The five small-school football teams in the county return four running backs who each ran for more than 900 yards in 2007.

Of those backs, two — Jake Lauber and James Elias — attend the same school, Illinois Valley Central in Chillicothe. Elias and Lauber combined to run for 1,996 yards a year ago.

Farmington returns speedster Charlie Balagna, who averaged almost 10 yards per carry last season. And Princeville has its own speed demon in senior Carter Oltman, who had 1,588 yards in 2007.

Elmwood/Brimfield, however, is trying to replace a running back. The Trojans are looking at no fewer than three backs in an effort to replace 2007 Journal Star all-area pick Michael Welch, who had 38 touchdowns over his final two seasons.

Peoria Heights, under first-year coach Bobby Williams, must replace at least three of its primary ballcarriers and will try to balance its offense.

Elmwood/Brimfield

Replacing Welch will not be easy. The all-area selection gained a total of 1,654 yards and had 24 touchdowns.

Bidding to replace that prodigous production will be Jeremy Dawson, Luke Nielsen and Sean Smith. Dawson provides the speed.

'He is pretty solid,' E/B coach Todd Hollis said. 'He just doesn't have much experience, because we couldn't afford to take Mike off the field last year.'

Nielsen and Smith, each of whom are 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, will be expected to provide an element Hollis believes was lacking last year.

'Between those two, I think we've found the power runner we were missing last year,' Hollis said. 'And it means that our backfield will be bigger than our offensive line — which, with how much we trap and pull, is the way I like it.'

The offense will have to find its way quickly against a schedule that features five 2007 postseason teams.

'People around town are asking how good are we going to be,' Hollis said. 'And our schedule is so tough that we could be pretty good and still have some losses.'

Farmington

Balagna needed just 103 carries to amass 1,001 yards — an average of 9.7 yards per carry. Farmington coach Casey Martin has had Balagna clocked as fast as 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

'He's a freak of nature,' Martin said. 'The other day he ran through our entire defense and no one laid a finger on him. His lateral movements are just so quick.

'I believe Charlie is one of the best backs in the area, regardless of class.'

Joining Balagna in the backfield will be juniors Dakota Smith, a wrestling state champion in middle school, and Corey Dawson. They will be running behind an offensive line that returns two starters, Vince Bales and Ryan Harding. As a whole, the line averages 6-foot-2 and 268 pounds.

'That's bigger than most of the big schools in the area,' Martin said. 'And they move pretty well for their size.'

Defensively, the 3-5-3 defensive scheme will need five new linebackers. Stepping in will be Smith, Nick Bitner, Stewart Bishop, Zach Clayton and Jacob Parrott.

'Our biggest weakness is experience,' Martin said. 'And you never know how that's going to play.'

Illinois Valley Central

Lauber and Elias combined for 28 touchdowns a year ago, although they did it in distinctly different fashions.

Lauber carried 124 times for 1,041 yards — good for 8.4 yards per carry — and 15 touchdowns. Elias carried 176 times for 955 yards — or 5.4 a clip — and 13 touchdowns.

'They complement each other very well,' IVC coach Tim Heinz said. 'We can do some different things, either have them on the field at the same time or rotate them so they both stay fresh the entire game.'

Elias and Lauber will be taking handoffs from a new quarterback. Senior Chris Razo replaces the graduated Andrew Kupper, who guided IVC to 17 victories — the best two-year stretch in school history.

'Chris is a little different athlete than Andrew,' Heinz said. 'Chris is a little better passer, so we might be able to balance out the offense a little bit.'

The real challenge will be on the defensive side of the ball, where IVC returns just three starters — tackle Thomas Foley, linebacker Kolby Weller and strong safety Cody Kentzel.

Peoria Heights

Williams comes to Heights from Chicago Clemente, where he was 10-10 over two seasons. The move has opened his eyes.

'Peoria Heights has been great so far,' said Williams, a native of Dixon. 'It's everything you could want when you go into coaching.

'The administration has been great, the teachers have been helpful and the parental support has been outstanding.'

Williams hopes all that support plays a major role in righting the Heights ship. The Patriots have had just one winning season since 1999.

Williams is installing a multiple-formation offense and will aim to balance the run-pass ratio at 50 percent. He'll rely on senior quarterback Brian 'Boo' Bart to make that happen.

Fatigue could be a factor. Heights has only 38 players in the program, and six players will have to play both ways.

'That's something we hope to change,' Williams said. 'Talent helps you win, but you also need numbers.'

Princeville

Oltman put up bigger rushing totals of any of the aforementioned backs. He ran for 19 touchdowns.

For his career, he has 2,414 yards. Another year like his junior season would put him over 4,000 yards for his career.

'He's got the ability to make people miss,' Princeville coach Rollin Arnett said. 'You just can't let him get out in the open.

'Teams are so focused on him that it opens up other things for us.'

Like running back Jacob Meischner, who ran for 615 yards in 2007, and quarterback Drew Martin, who passed for nine touchdowns a year ago.

Arnett expects big things from Martin, who is just the second two-year starting quarterback in the coach's seven seasons at Princeville.

'Drew has really taken a step ahead,' Arnett said. 'He's gotten stronger and he's throwing the ball better. Plus, with any second-year quarterback, their leadership ability is much better because they're so much more confident.'

But the real source of strength will be the defense. A total of eight starters returns from a unit that surrendered an average of 8.3 points per game.

'Our defense was very good last year, and we're hoping to build on that,' Arnett said. 'They're very fast and they fly to the ball.'